navylane :: musings

Someone once told me that time is a predator that stalked us all our lives. But I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey that reminds us to cherish every moment because they’ll never come again.

Captain Jean Luc Picard,Star Trek Generations

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It was a hot, humid day yesterday, so my daughters and I retreated to the nearby woods, where we sought shelter in the shade of the tall trees and distraction from the heat as we hiked through the winding trails.

Here are our findings of the day, our goal being to find something natural in each of the colors of the rainbow. With a low camera battery and an almost full camera card, it was a challenge to decide on the spot which photos to take, which to keep, which to delete.

If only life’s decisions could be made with a preview screen and a finger ready to trigger the delete button…

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more decisions this week at
.: Mama Says Om :.

On any given day, I hear the word Mom at least a thousand times. Nurse a boo-boo or two (or three). Count to five a lot. Get many, many hugs and I-love-you’s whispered in my ear throughout the day. Sweep up a neverending stream of crumbs off the floor. Laugh at endless silly songs and jokes. Clean up at least one spilled drink. Brush and floss multiple sets of teeth twice a day. Receive countless masterpieces from my favorite young artists. Talk to my own mother for encouragement, advice, friendship. Pick up toy after toy after toy. Answer a gazillion questions about the world or math or how babies are born. Fill my favorite vase with the most lovely dandelion bouquets. Read many a story about hungry caterpillars, a very curious monkey or funny colored eggs and ham. All this fills my days, yes, and so much more.

It’s a crazy journey, this ride we call motherhood. Oh, how it tugs at my heartstrings and makes me burst with pride and joy. I am so grateful to be a mother. To be witness to the miracle of life: from womb to infant, toddler to child, teenager to adult. To be so blessed with such a prized role in this life.

To mothers everywhere, I hope you had a wonderful day this past weekend, celebrating YOU and the special part you play in the lives of your children. Peace and joy to you all!

Well, today is the Big Day. The first day of school. I stayed up late last night compulsively going through my list over and over: Lunch packed? Check. Outfit ironed and ready? Check. Bookbag filled with school supplies? Check. House frantically cleaned and void of almost all traces of clutter? Check. (Well, that last one wasn’t necessary for the first day of school, but that’s one of my coping mechanisms for when I am all keyed up with excitement — I go on a cleaning binge.) My husband felt the excitement, too. He woke up early, went to the store to pick up fresh bagels and orange juice, and we all sat and ate breakfast together (something we are rarely able to do except on Sundays).

Then off we went to school where I threw her to the dogs. I know, I am being a bit dramatic, but it was a bit painful to have to walk out of that classroom, waving goodbye to my sweet, innocent first grader sitting at her desk… pushing away thoughts about how vulnerable and impressionable she is at the tender age of six… and how ruthless and eager kids can be to grow up these days. Oh, please, please don’t let her come home today boasting that she knows the truth about Santa Claus and insisting she is ready to wear lipstick!

As for me and my little one, we are aimlessly wandering around the house, not sure what to do with ourselves. I cannot believe how out of sorts I feel. It’s like I am afraid to do too much for fear of getting too involved and losing track of the time (never mind I still have like three hours until it is time to pick her up)… or maybe it’s just that I miss her terribly. I think my life has two modes of time — super warp speed and uber slow speed!

Making the decision to have a child — it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around on the outside of your body.Elizabeth Stone